Guide to College Relations

College Relations developed policies and procedures to provide departments with optimal programs and services. This guide will help answer commonly asked questions on media, video, advertising, web, social media, and promotional efforts.

The College Relations Department develops programs and services that focus on six key areas: internal and external communications, media relations, creative services, digital and social media, and special events. The department’s strategic goal is to create effective Internal and External Systems of Communication for all college stakeholders.

This document is intended to guide requests so that the department may better serve the campus. Please call the College Relations Department at 281.312.1621 for further assistance. 

This Guide is Divided into the Following Sub-Sections:

• Media Relations
• Creative Services
• Digital & Social Media
• Designs in Print
• Promo Items & Special Events

LSC-Kingwood College Relations

Armando Galvan Cruces

Director, College Relations

Armando Galvan Cruces is a dynamic professional with extensive experience in higher education administration, marketing communications, strategic partnerships, and educational instruction. Currently serving as the Director for College Relations at Lone Star College, Armando has excelled in developing and implementing innovative communication strategies to enhance engagement and connections at LSC-Kingwood College. Armando's commitment to education extends to his role as an Adjunct Instructor in Business and Marketing at Lone Star College, where he applies his expertise in curriculum development and student engagement strategies. 

Prior to his current roles, Armando served as the Assistant Director for Marketing and CreationStation at the University of Houston, where he oversaw diverse marketing campaigns, coordinated impactful campus events, and significantly expanded social media reach. His career also includes positions such as Student Life Coordinator at Houston Community College and Adjunct Instructor in AEL Civics, where he played a pivotal role in enhancing student life and academic outcomes.

Armando holds a Master of Business Administration from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from The University of Texas–Pan American. Fluent in both English and Spanish, he possesses a robust skill set encompassing strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, event management, and proficiency in various software and analytics tools.

Throughout his career, Armando Galvan Cruces has been recognized for his excellence with awards such as the HCC Excellence in Service Award and the Chancellor's Excellence Award. He continues to drive positive change and innovation in education, leveraging his expertise to empower students and strengthen institutional effectiveness.

LSC-Kingwood Communications and Marketing

Marcy Young

Manager, Communications

Marcy Young is the Communications Manager in the Department of College Relations. Young spent 12 years as a Television News Producer, working in top ten markets including Washington, D.C. and Houston. She received Texas AP Broadcaster Awards for Best Morning Newscast and Best Morning Newscast (2nd Place), a Lone Star Emmy for Best Morning Newscast, and was part of award-winning team coverage during Hurricane Ike and other major news events. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Texas State University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in both Mass Communications and Modern Languages (Spanish). Young oversees internal and external communications and is the liaison between the campus, the community and the media.

Argelia Maldonado

Coordinator II, College Relations

Argelia Maldonado started her career at LSC-Kingwood as the part-time college relations coordinator from 2010-2014. She returned to the college in November 2020 as the full-time media and publications coordinator. Maldonado's responsibilities include overseeing daily and some long-term operations of the assigned area, managing the College Relations’ budget, social media, supplying promotional items, coordinating special events, monitoring and controlling resources such as office supplies and equipment needed within the department. She is fluent in Spanish and holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Guadalajara, Mexico. Maldonado has a strong financial background in her previous jobs at several banks, as manager at Hertz car rental, and 10 years working for American Airlines as a supervisor and administrative assistant.

LSC-Kingwood Creative Services

Jason Watson

Manager, Creative Services

Jason Watson is the manager of Creative Services, a department under College Relations. A former student of Lone Star College and graduate of Texas A&M University, Watson oversees digital marketing, graphic design, video production, audio recording, photography, and all large format print projects associated with LSC-Kingwood. Through his creative direction, his team has won more than 50 nationally recognized awards since 2015.

Pam Clarke

Graphic Designer

Pam Clarke has a long history at LSC-Kingwood. As a student, she completed the digital publishing program and worked for several years to gain industry experience. With those skills, Clarke returned to LSC-Kingwood as the Designs in Print manager. For more than 20 years, she has mentored students as they gained real-world career experience by creating promotions and publications for campus programs and events. Clarke is also an adjunct professor in the Visual Communication department. Graphic design is a second career as she holds degrees in geology/geophysics. Clarke earned a bachelor’s degree from State University College of New York at Geneseo and a master’s degree from the University of Iowa.

Jose Vela Jr.

Video Production Specialist

Jose Vela Jr. is the video producer for Creative Services. He was appointed to this position in 2014. Vela has more than 10 years of experience in video production and filmmaking. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication with a Media Emphasis from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. In his time with the Creative Services team, Vela has won multiple accolades for his work, including a Silver Telly Award for his documentary on the effects of Hurricane Harvey on LSC-Kingwood.

Taylor Anderson

Graphic Designer

Taylor Anderson is the graphic designer for the Creative Services department. With nearly a decade of experience in graphic and multimedia design, the four-time Lone Star College alumnus has won multiple awards for her work with the department. She has also served as co-advisor for several student clubs, including award-winning campus newspaper the Howler, assisting students developing their creative skills. In addition to holding a certification in social marketing through Hootsuite, Anderson graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Graphic Design and Media Arts from Southern New Hampshire University in 2021.

Diana Sorensen

Photographer

Diana Sorensen is the photographer for Creative Services. Originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina, she studied secondary education teaching. Sorensen earned a Desktop Publishing certificate, an associate of arts degree, and an Associate of Applied Science degree in Visual Communications-Graphic Design from North Harris Montgomery Community College District. Sorensen has worked as the college photographer since 2002.

Alexis Ruiz Alvarado

PT Assistant I Media 

Alexis Ruiz Alvarado is the Assistant Video Production Specialist in the Creative Services department. Joining the college in the spring semester of 2019, he brings a decade of experience as a video producer. Within the Creative Services department, Ruiz has been instrumental in creating various promotional and instructional videos for the college, as well as documenting the presence of guest speakers. He is also an alumnus of the college, having earned a degree from the Visual Communication Video and Post-Production program.